Heavy winds wreak havoc as McIlroy closes gap

Except for a few unkind souls, there was universal sympathy for the warm hearted Big Easy, Ernie Els. In the inevitable interviews and aftermath of his nasty experience, he could not explain what was going on in his head; he said he had the heebie-jeebies and the yips and found it difficult to pull his left arm back to initiate the putting stroke. There was obviously some carelessness in a couple of attempted one handed putts, but there is no doubt that he has this monster within him that has to be exorcised for, as many golfers will readily admit, this is a fearful affliction. His 73 on Friday in extremely difficult conditions bears testimony to his obvious skill and talent and one wishes for an early return of his confidence.

As predicted, high winds caused havoc on Day 2. By the end, there were only seven players under par, nobody shot a round in the 60s and the low round of the day was 71 shot by Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson, Daniel Berger and Hideki Matsuyama.

They lucked out as the engaging amateur, Bryson Dechambeau, heading for the sole round in the 60s as he stood three under on the 18th tee, very surprisingly duck hooked his drive deep into the woods to take a triple, thereby losing that honour. Nothing to worry, for McIlroy also duck hooked viciously some years ago to miss out on an honour that he is seeking this weekend. Maybe there are great things in store for Dechambeau.

Jordan Spieth, after gaining a couple of shots and looking invincible, succumbed to the forces of nature and ended up with a 2 over 74. This allowed several disconsolate players who thought they would miss the cut to suddenly find themselves in the fray. This includes Adam Scott and Bubba Watson; the cut was set at 6 over, according to the 10 shots from the leader rule. That in itself is an extraordinary high cut line. Anirban Lahiri, at five over, made the cut ahead of several greats, including two-time Masters winner Watson. One must admire how he has very quickly adapted to the conditions and he should make a fine showing in the next two days; hopefully he will come in within the top 20 to ensure an automatic invite to next year's tournament. Furthermore, he has apparently rented a house in Florida, which indicates his willingness to live and play much more in the US, where all players, in this modern age, must cut their teeth to be known the world over.

While the rustling of the 25 -30 mph winds through the pines and cones may sound comforting for the patrons, the swaying tops of the tall loblolly pines indicate nothing but danger for the player. This course requires high shots to precise locations on the green but the wind, which cannot read intentions, can cause bogeys or even double bogeys when the player might have reasonably expected a par at worst. Additionally, the greens are so hard and so slick that at certain spots they won't hold and three putting, and even four putting (Spieth on the 5th) are not exceptional. If the wind blew only in one direction that could be managed; however, within the bowl that contains Augusta National, the wind swirls, changes direction, gusts and suddenly falls still, all within the time you are setting up to hit your shot, thereby making club selection a lottery. Thus, the par three twelfth hole, named Golden Bell but often described as Jezebel for its absolute treachery, holds the greatest fear for players. Rae's Creek runs invitingly right across the face of a diagonally placed green that is framed with tantalising azalea beds, and bunkers, as a backdrop. The wind condition can demand a club selection between 7 and 9 iron for this 155-yard hole. If the wind changes suddenly as it is apt to, a double bogey or more is not at all uncommon. "You don't need a 240-yard hole to make a par 3 interesting, "says South Africa's Charles Schwartzel, with trepidation.

This hole is the cusp of the three holes that comprise Amen corner, so named because Amen is reverentially murmured at the end of sombre ceremonies, in this case your funeral!

Frankly, Augusta National, in these windy conditions does not require heroics or bravado. Each course has to be understood in its essentials, and just as links courses have to be played differently to the modern architected courses, this course requires similar circumspection. One has to stay patient and bide one's time, not looking at your playing partners or the leader board, just staying within yourself and seeking safe opportunities. In these conditions, aggressive play will clearly be counterproductive. The time to be aggressive will be on Sunday when the weather is expected to be milder and typically, pin positions are located to encourage the drama of many birdies and eagles, and to win you may have to hit make or break shots.

Phil Mickelson, from whom much was expected, forgot this easy lesson for one so experienced at Augusta and missed the cut. Rickie Fowler played aggressively from the woods on the first hole (arguably the toughest opening hole among championship courses) when there were 71 more holes to go and paid the price.

New predictions? With Spieth and McIlroy going head-to-head and a strong field within a few shots of the lead, he who can keep his head while others around him are losing theirs, will be the man. For me?... either Johnson or Jason Day. Look forward to round three!